The rising need for opium licensing: the only weapon to fight the Taliban in Afghanistan

In July 2006 Emmanuel Reinert warned of the danger of opium eradication in Afghanistan. While the world suffers a shortage in opioid painkillers, military operations to destroy poppy fields are wrecking lives and turning the Afghan people against NATO troops. Now six months later, the situation in Afghanistan is much worse. Thousands of farmers and their families are starving and support for the Taliban is growing stronger by the day. In his second report Emmanuel Reinert offers financial support to pilot opium licensing schemes in order to divert the tons of illicit opium headed for our streets.